Parthenon Software Group

Deconstructing Agile

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:51:47 -0700

When you hear the word Agile, what do you think of? Maybe smooth, quick and effective movement. Now apply that to software, apps and the IT world. Here we have a methodology that breaks down projects, making them more doable, while allowing for constant testing. Despite all of this, Agile has garnered criticism, especially from large companies. According to them there are just too many limitations to make it a worthwhile approach. Still, as a business that actually employs Agile, we at Parthenon have seen its benefits.

Let’s break down a few of the arguments from our perspective.

One of the things Agile emphasizes is the capability of developers and the quality of their work. One would think having highly skilled people producing high quality work would be the ideal, but there has been an outcry of exclusivity. The main argument here is that the average joe is not necessarily highly skilled. It’s a given that not everyone is as skilled as others, but doesn’t mean Agile cannot still be used. For us, it’s about hiring the right people. All of our developers must complete a coding test, demonstrating their skills. Now before you call foul for favoritism, we also hire developers who exhibit potential. They are paired with higher level developers, ensuring that they get the help they need and that the quality of our work is maintained.

Another component of Agile concerns a business's organizational culture. All too often businesses can get stuck in a cookie cutter approach to projects. Their argument consists of the belief that not everyone can hold themselves accountable or stay organized without direction. Once again, hiring the right people makes a difference. This is not to say that upper management is expendable. At Parthenon, we have project managers to direct and guide developers when needed. We also have a ticketing system that keeps people on track. We set a goal and let greater freedom allow for more creativity, discovery of newer ways to doing things and the potential for higher quality work. An important part of our coding test is the level of creativity shown in solving the problem. We understand the importance of creativity and embrace the newest and most effective ways of doing things.

Larger projects must be augmented with organizational structure carefully to preserve a creative atmosphere. Since Agile favors smaller teams, big companies and organizations have argued that their projects and teams are too large for Agile implementation. Yet, how effective are these teams? It's been proven that smaller teams are more effective. How so? We allow team members to communicate directly with each other. Meetings can waste time if the do not serve a need, and too many people designing the same thing can lead to disagreements over trivial matters. We encourage our developers to identify a need in the course of their work, and then contact the best people to assist them.

As for the workload, Agile breaks a project into smaller project pieces and delivery of the pieces once they are ready. We deconstruct a task, identify its critical components, and then work to complete them individually before combining them into a finished product. This allows us to optimize our workflow in different ways. Smaller components allow us to leverage pre-built modules, and can test each piece easier for a more stable result. We can also reallocate programmers from one project to another as more or less work is required. This keeps our developers fresh, always experiencing new challenges and gaining unique experience. Work gets done faster, more cost effectively, with less mental fatigue.

The debate rages on. The aforementioned examples are only a few of the many arguments for and against the use of Agile. It can be argued that since Parthenon is a relatively small company, we are the perfect candidates for Agile, but that doesn't mean it should be completely discounted by larger companies. Sure it will mean change, but that’s not always a bad thing.

PM Hut: Limitations of Agile Software Development
Forbes: The Case Against Agile

Testing Software with Selenium

Thu, 2 May 2013 21:48:22 -0700

Like any Software QA (Quality Assurance) Department, here at Parthenon Software we face the challenge of proving our software will run correctly while also meeting the customer's requirements. A tool that helps us manage the repetitive tasks of software testing is Selenium. Selenium allows us to automate the tasks, run regression tests on websites and to assist in testing new bugs and features.

QA Engineers face the repetitive drudgery of creating new users on a website or performing complex actions over and over again. Selenium allows us to automate these tasks. Selenium's strength lies in its ability to record the user's actions and play them back. These test scripts allow us to automate repetitive tasks as they allow us to ensure an action occurs in the same way every time. Running these test scripts also guarantees accuracy and decreases the time needed to set up our tests.

But these setup tasks are just the start. We need to test out new features as requested by the customer. Or we might need to fix bugs in currently running software. Selenium allows us to automate the test steps for this new code. By having automated tests, we can repeat the testing at will. Features are tested, and bug fixes are verified.

However, these individual tests are not the end point. We gather these tests together, and add them to our library of Regression Tests. By running our tests again, we can verify that new code does not break existing functionality. We also run the tests automatically in our Continuous Integration environment. Any time new code is committed, the tests kick off, and can inform our team, in near-real time, of any changes that cause tests to fail.

Selenium is a very useful tool to the Parthenon Software team. The Software Quality Assurance Engineers make the computers do the recurring tasks. We are freed to do the hard work. We are free to THINK. We can consider our new feature and anticipate places where bugs might be introduced. We are free to consider the entirety of the customer's specification and ensure that we have built quality software that meets those specifications

Mobile Apps Well Worth The Investment

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:48:13 -0700

When it comes to marketing the biggest considerations are the cost and the return on investment. Most people don't mind spending money for advertising if they have a good chance of making sells. Sells are what drive the revenue which makes advertising an affordable commodity. So, if you have a chance to reach potential clients for less than a penny per lead, would you consider it? Well you do.

By 2014 it is estimated that there will be 90 million US tablet users. Along with that there are already 321 million plus cell phone users. That is a whole lot of potential app users. The average mobile app will cost roughly 40-60k. If you break it down that's less than a thousandth of a cent per potential customer.

If I were to take a proposal to my board of directors with an advertising campaign reaching millions of potential clients for less than pennies, I am pretty sure I could convince them the value of the project. When you look at the large picture it is a lot easier to justify spending the $40,000-$60,000.

Apps are the modern day phone book. Very few people will reach into their cupboard these days and flip through a stack of paper by hand to see which company can provide a service for them. Instead they pull out their phones, iPads, tablets or hop onto their PCs and look for a service provider. A mobile presence is what is driving today's commerce. The benefit to being having an app presence is as prevalent as having a full page ad in the phone book was 20 years ago.

Where does Parthenon Software come into the mix? If you have an idea, we can assist you in making it a reality. We've built apps in a number of areas including, task management, demonstrations, scheduling, and inventory among others. Interested in what we can do for you? Visit our website to find out more and contact us.

Great Project Management

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:37:23 -0700

Project management best practices remind us that if we successfully initiate, plan, execute and close out all our projects, our metrics will illustrate greater results. While such a statement highlights the end goal, there’s much more to project management than simple methodology.

Think of a project in terms of a puzzle. There are several little pieces that will somehow form the bigger picture. It can be frustrating at times as a project rarely goes completely according to plan. From delays, cost overruns and other obstacles, successful project completion can seem unreachable and unrealistic. It’s easy to see how a project can fail, but there is still hope. Such poor management can be avoided. You, as the project manager, can take all those little pieces and transform them into doable tasks and goals. How?

Consider the following questions: What is the long-term strategy? How will the outcome of the project add value to the strategy? What are the alternatives to your strategy? What is the dollar-value?

Organize your plans and resources. Project management means taking full and personal responsibility for the success of any project and utilizing the best available methods and resources to that end. As such, you are the catalyst for the best resources, the best contracts, managing the project itself, and active communication with all involved parties.

Stay focused on the key benefits of the project. This is an area where turning those doable tasks and goals are especially handy. Not only does this make it easier for your team to focus, it can make an overwhelming project much easier to manage.

Think about risk management tools and techniques. You already use informal risk management techniques as a project manager. However, it is important to formalize existing work with methodology and available project management software. Failing to do so is inefficient and saps up time that could be better used on project development. Additionally, it is important to discuss the risk with the customer in order to determine how they will tolerate the risk.

Test your project to determine it is working. The continual process of testing, testing and making adjustments is an essential part of project management. Any IT solution that is implemented without the proper amount of testing performed throughout the project is a definite recipe for disaster.

Make use of process models. These models can have a significant impact on the outcome of your project. If you’re unsure what process models to use check out some tips from Project Management Institute about their project management methodology.

Implementation of these tips and techniques guarantees the best chance of achieving maximum project benefits. Still, they only scratch the surface of advantageous project management. They are plenty more notable steps, but they should get you started on the path toward more efficient and improved project management.

In-memory Computing

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 20:20:16 -0700

Big data has always been away to grow your business. With automated systems serving your customers, tracking and analyzing how they use your software can play a huge role in serving your customers more effectively. However multiple problems may stand in your way when organizing and running queries on such large quantities of data. Getting quality results fast enough to act on can be difficult, even on the newest computers. The solution, proponents and analysts say, is In-Memory Computing.

One of the biggest problems of data analysis lies in the way data is stored. Traditional queries run in a Database require large amounts of data access. Hard drives still require mechanical movement to access your data, and even Solid State Hard Drives (SSDs) are trapped behind access that may be blocked by other system requirements. A computer's Random Access Memory (RAM) provides the best balance of volume and performance in modern computers, and even off the shelf products are cost effective and capable. The secret of In-Memory Computing is the technique of speeding up data analysis by manipulating large quantities of data in a computer's RAM using specialized algorithms designed for your business.

The trick to the process lies in storing data in a computer’s memory from the very beginning. True, this doesn't allow for as much storage capacity as a Physical Disk, but it allows for faster data access and as a result, can provide real-time results. And while it may seem like the answer to your analytic needs, there things to take into account concerning its use. For instance, you still want to move data to long-term storage as it is being collected. The data still needs to be organized and processed effectively by your software, or even the fastest computers imaginable would not be able to keep up. Often this requires special analysis of your business to identify what reports are valuable to you, and how those results can be delivered as quickly as possible.

Coupled together, big data and In-Memory Computing combine into the most efficient and effective way of data processing, but like so many other things what may work for one business might not work for another one. There are plenty of factors to take into account when making such a decision and Parthenon can help you make the right choice.

Sources:
Forbes: 5 Ways Big Data Will Change Lives In 2013
Baseline: Ten Tech Trends That Will Change IT in 2013
Computer Weekly: Can in-memory computing answer the big questions about Big Data?

A Message From The President

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:29:00 -0700

Parthenon Software Group is a data-oriented custom software company. In layman's terms, this means that we write software you can't get off the shelf. For any industry custom software involves storing, retrieving, and transforming data and/or moving it between other programs or computers. This is not a niche industry. Many businesses need this kind of software, and it's not usually the easiest thing to do. We are uniquely suited to do this because we are composed of top programmers who are data-oriented generalists.

Primarily, though there are exceptions, we are not:

Makers of a single product or service
Web branders/designers
Pure mobile app developers
Creators of Facebook campaign apps

What makes us different?

When choosing a software shop, they all look pretty similar. All probably mention an agile methodology, open source tools, web or mobile design and the workforce for the majority of them is fairly young. The important thing you should look for in a shop is what the programmers appear to care about when they're at work and how good they are at it.

Some of our competitors are big believers in a "fun" workplace where "knowledge of the latest Internet memes" is mentioned as a requirement on job postings. Walking into some shops, you will be greeted by novelty gadgets and toys. In addition, there might be a low hum of chatter and laughter.

At Parthenon, we reject that kind of thinking as the anti-productive nonsense it truly is. Walk into our office and you will see a room free of cubicles, and everyone seated at desks made of door-blank rejects affixed to IKEA legs, with carefully selected high-end and specialized keyboards and monitors. It will probably be library-quiet as our team is deep in concentration. We're at the shop to build software, and from the CEO down to the entry-level intern, we care deeply about what we do. We even have fun doing it.

Why should you hire us and not another software shop?

- Our programmers are hired specifically to be general-purpose -- the tests we give them during the hiring process essentially determine who's the best at being given an arbitrary problem and coming up with a well-made solution that meets requirements. The tests are evaluated by senior developers who go through the same process daily when working on projects for our clients. When hired, lower-experience developers are usually paired with a mid-level or senior developers on a project. In this way we assist junior developers with raw talent but lower experience on their way to a higher level in their career.

- Our shop has an in-depth understanding of a much wider range of technologies than most tech companies. Most of the competition is trying to build up their software stack to the point that they can copy it over and over again, but since we're custom developers, we strive to build up our crew so they can either turn out a standard piece of software in a repeatable manner, or take on something they've never seen before at extremely short notice, with equal ease.

- We can communicate with you better, because we've seen so many different jobs that we probably have a better idea of how to do what you are looking to do than other companies. If you're starting a project with a minimum of in-house resources and knowledge, we can get it delivered much faster than trying to either build up your team or hire a lesser team.

- We can communicate internally better, because we're all in one large room. There are no offshore providers with their communication and scheduling problems, and everyone is focused on their task. We use agile methodology and don't do traditional meetings; we also don't have a large bureaucracy. Our code repo, workflow, project management, issue tracking, and client communication are all tied together and allow easy reference, because we believe that the programmer needs to be thinking about the goal of the project and writing code to that goal instead of filling out forms.

- When compared to a similar shop, as a company, we are cheaper, faster, and handle challenges better.

Social CRM

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:04:11 -0700

Social media has become a major part of the world as we know it. Some people can’t even go a few minutes without “checking in”, tweeting or the like. While this can get a little annoying, all in all, social media is a powerful tool for social interaction. As mentioned in our Client Interaction blog, social media can help with gaining and maintaining your clients. It’s this particular trait that is being targeted by one of the newest sales & marketing tools, Social CRM.

What are Social CRM systems? Let’s break things down.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems are organizational sales and marketing tools which have been recognized as one of the most successful applications for small and medium business. Not only does it allow you to keep track of all of your interactions with current, past and future clients, it also offers everything in a concise manner that allows you view all the client information in one area so you’re not scrambling to find everything. Is it any wonder that there are so many different versions? Needless to say some are better than others.

Take all that CRM is and toss in the social media aspect and you have SCRM or Social CRM. How does that make a difference? Using Social CRM systems makes interactions more personal. No longer is the client just a name on the screen, they now have a face and a voice. At the same time, there is potential for even better communication and as a result greater trust in you and your company. Moreover, just as a client’s information can be found in one place in the CRM, so too can notifications from multiple social media sites. In this way, you have access to information about birthdays, events, and so on. You’ll be able to spend less time in the process of searching for clients and customers and more time cultivating such relationships.

Still on the fence? CRM systems have worked in the past and continue to work to the advantage of businesses. As for social media, there are plenty of companies who have made a name for themselves, thanks in part of this growing trend. So why not combine two of the most successful applications? With all the potential advantages of Social CRM, it just might be the piece you’re looking for.

Still curious? Check out Why Your Company Needs to Embrace Social CRM

Sources: Plantsoho.com Mashable.com

Coaching a Winning Project

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:12:36 -0800

Project management is an important part of any company, regardless of the type, source or outcome. It's a lot to do, and time is always limited. Any project is a short-term action that has a time frame and seldom lasts for longer than two years. It stands to reason that they must make the most of what have to work with. If you look at it in terms of sports, the role of a project manager is very much like that of a soccer coach. They are given a team to shape into an effective force with rules to follow and limited resources. Everyone would like a dream team, but the best coach is one who can make champions.

During a season, the primary focus is on reaching the World Cup. It doesn't matter how many individual games you lose if you become champions. You must plan ahead keeping the strengths and limitations of your team in mind. An influx of change is almost always a guarantee. The players (project team) may move to different clubs (projects) or from club to club (project to project) during a season. The same can be said of the coach. They don't necessarily stay with one team for multiple seasons. So, don't focus on things you cannot control, but plan for them. Even if all seems lost, you have a chance to improve the club and make them worth rooting for, regardless of all the changes that have occurred.

In my own experience, I've had new developers added to my projects that need training, take vacation mid-project and even reassigned off of them. This can be frustrating, but at the end of the day, I have understood that upper management knows what they are doing and some seasons are less important than the team as a whole. They are the leaders of the company and as such, they are considering the future well being of the whole company and not just a particular project. It is my responsibility to make adjustments and make the most of the time I do have.

If a company loses a project its important not to exaggerate the consequences. There are few companies that must rely on a single project to stay afloat. However, if major business operations fail, it is much more difficult to recover. Good project managers understand the temporary nature of the project environment and they know how to use it to the greatest advantage for the company as a whole.

Smart Pens

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:54:14 -0800

Gone are the days of an ordinary pen and paper. Years ago, a pen was released to the public, which could record anything written on specialized paper and could even read it back to you. Launched just a year after the original iPhone, it never seemed to catch on. So they made them even better. Now, they're smarter than ever.

While there quite a few different smartpens on the market today, Livescribe appears to be getting the most buzz. Why? It incorporates wi-fi capabilities. A pen can have wi-fi? Yes; and it's connected to the cloud.

After you've put away your papers you can view your notes on any mobile device or an old fashioned computer. All of this is linked to Evernote, a site which is dedicated to keeping all of your notes only a couple of click away.

Sure, wi-fi capability is cool, but what else makes this pen so desirable?

With the option of 2GB, 4GB or 8GB of memory you can record up to 800 hours of audio. There’s also a high grade microphone and speakers, and a USB connection. Never thought that could be incorporated into a pen did you?

And the paper? It still exists and comes with the pen when you purchase it. When you are writing, the paper digitizes everything, allowing the vocalization of the text. Using your Evernote account, you also have the ability to sync the pen so notes can go to the site for access with your mobile device.

Surely there’s a catch. So far, the only big issues have to do with cost. Evernote may be free, but if you want the best features a premium subscription must be purchased. Then there's the cost of the device itself between $169.99-$249.99 depending on the storage capacity and whether you opt for the 1 year premium Evernote membership. Still, if you have to take a lot of notes or plan on writing a lot, it may well be worth it.

Livescribe has made a business of creating smartpens and as mobile devices have improved in functionality and mobile capability, it seems like the natural progression for smartpens to follow suit. Who knew the Stylus of the past would fade away and we'd be drawing on our computers with a finger, and write on real paper to record notes on a computer. As technology advances, devices have to advance with it in order to maintain their usability. The only question is, where were these pens when we were in school?

Amazon S3

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 18:48:29 -0800

If you use your computer on a regular basis, chances are you've run into problems with slow websites. A common problem with websites is when images and web pages are coming from the same server, bringing speed down. The good news, there’s a quick and easy solution. As our clients experience an increase in traffic, we use Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Server) for images and other large media files.

As a software and development company, we work with images and videos on a daily basis and they can easily take up the majority of a site's network usage. Amazon S3 is an industry standard for quickly reducing load on websites. This is a public server which enables storage and retrieval of any type of data from anywhere on the Internet at any given time. The result: We've been able to reduce our bandwidth by half and improve site performance by using bandwidth more efficiently in other areas.

How exactly does it work? Think in terms of the components located in our computer. There are three main parts; the Central processing unit (CPU), a data storage device and a controller device. In terms of a regular web server, the server itself acts as the CPU, while S3 becomes the hard drive and the visitor's web browser as the controller. Freed from the burden of dealing with images and video, the web server can send back web pages faster and let the visitor's web browser do the rest.

Convinced S3 will work for your company as well? Consider the following tips before you use it.

Index all your file information and make sure it is labeled correctly.
Once uploaded on S3, these files will save to one blanket or folder. There are no sub-folders on S3. Moreover, the files cannot be duplicated.
Make sure your website's design takes advantage of S3's strengths. There is a full S3 API that will help you.
You pay for what you use, and a bad design can end up wasting money. Use the API to modify files server side without using bandwidth.

While Amazon S3, has proven to be a successful storage server in terms of images and videos, that doesn't mean it will necessarily work for all types of data or all companies and people. Still, it’s definitely something to consider.

Interested in learning more? Go to Amazon's Web Services page to get started today.